The Two Witnesses
Two or three witnesses establish every matter.
AI-generated artistic depiction (no historical imagery exists)
The concept of 'two witnesses' in scripture primarily refers to the legal principle that a matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses, as seen in Deuteronomy 19:15, Matthew 18:16, and 2 Corinthians 13:1. This principle governs judicial proceedings, church discipline, and apostolic testimony, ensuring that no accusation is based on a single witness. Additionally, physical objects such as a heap of stones or a song can serve as witnesses to covenants or events, as in Genesis 31:48 and Deuteronomy 31:19.
Lore & Background
The requirement for two or three witnesses is foundational in Mosaic law for capital cases: 'At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death' (Deuteronomy 17:6). This rule also applies to lesser offenses, as 'one witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity' (Deuteronomy 19:15). The witnesses themselves must be truthful, as false witness is prohibited: 'Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour' (Exodus 20:16), and if a witness is found false, the judges shall punish him (Deuteronomy 19:18). In the New Testament, Jesus and Paul reaffirm this principle. Jesus instructs that if a brother refuses to listen, 'then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established' (Matthew 18:16). Paul similarly writes, 'In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established' (2 Corinthians 13:1), applying it to his apostolic visits. Beyond human testimony, inanimate objects serve as witnesses. Jacob and Laban set up a heap and a pillar as a witness to their covenant: 'This heap be witness, and this pillar be witness, that I will not pass over this heap to thee' (Genesis 31:52). God Himself is called as a witness between Laban and Jacob: 'see, God is witness betwixt me and thee' (Genesis 31:50). Moses also uses a song as a witness against Israel: 'this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel' (Deuteronomy 31:19).
Reader's Guide
The passages portray the 'two witnesses' as a safeguard against false accusations and a means of establishing truth in legal, communal, and spiritual contexts. In the Old Testament, the law explicitly requires multiple witnesses for conviction in capital cases (Deuteronomy 17:6) and for any sin (Deuteronomy 19:15), with the witnesses themselves participating in the execution (Deuteronomy 17:7). False witnesses are condemned and subject to investigation (Exodus 20:16; Deuteronomy 19:18). The principle extends to non-human witnesses: a heap of stones (Genesis 31:48), a pillar (Genesis 31:52), God (Genesis 31:50), and a song (Deuteronomy 31:19) all serve as enduring testimonies to covenants or warnings. In the New Testament, Jesus applies the same standard to church discipline (Matthew 18:16), and Paul uses it to underscore the seriousness of his repeated visits (2 Corinthians 13:1). The consistent theme is that truth is confirmed by multiple attestations, whether human, divine, or symbolic.
Did You Know?
- In capital cases, the witnesses were required to be the first to execute the condemned person (Deuteronomy 17:7).
- A heap of stones and a pillar were used as a witness to a covenant between Jacob and Laban (Genesis 31:48, 52).
- God Himself is called as a witness between Laban and Jacob when no human witness is present (Genesis 31:50).
- Moses wrote a song to serve as a witness against Israel for their future disobedience (Deuteronomy 31:19).